New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is reportedly set to sign with Chelsea this week in a move that will cost the English club $5 million, according to ESPN. Rumors have been swirling for weeks, but Miazga left U.S. Men's National team friendlies to travel to London for physicals ahead of joining the Blues.
At 20 years old, Miazga stands 6-foot-4. His size and athleticism have several Premier League teams interested in his services, according to Aiden Cusick. Chelsea has had trouble defending at times this year, and they felt a multi-million-dollar offer was warranted for Miazga. The Blues might be right. Chelsea manager Gus Hiddink has big plans for Miazga, and his aggressive defending style will keep him with the Chelsea first team for at least 40 games, according to Grant Wahl.
"We don't rush him but he will be one of the squad members for the future," Hiddink said of Miazga. "He's a young guy stepping up to the national team and it's always good to have such players here so you can see what they are capable of in training," Hiddink said, according to Liam Twomey.
Having appeared in 30 matches, including playoffs, Mizga's absence will leave a hole in the Red Bulls back end. Ronald Zubar, Karl Ouimette and A.J. Cochrane could all challenge to fill Miazga's vacancy at the MLS club, according to Matthew Doyle.
Miazga's contract with New York is set to expire at the end of the 2016 season, and allowing the contract to expire meant too great of a risk of losing the American international for nothing.
Miazga holds a polish passport, meaning that he will not occupy an international roster spot with Chelsea, according to The Score.
